The ‘Pink Sari Revolution’

At a time when the struggles of Indian women are attracting global attention, author Amana Fontanella-Khan reminds us that a different narrative is possible. In her new book – “Pink Sari Revolution” – Ms. Fontanella-Khan tells the extraordinary story of an all-women vigilante group who fight injustice in remote, rural India.

The gang’s work isn’t always easy, but under the leadership of the feisty Sampat Pal, they take on corrupt officials, challenge caste-based prejudice and fight for the rights of women who are victims of abuse.

In an emailed interview, Ms. Fontanella-Khan, who spent three years reporting on the gang, spoke about the origins of the self-styled “Gulabi,” or pink, Gang, about its charismatic leader and tells us why there is hope for positive change for women in India.

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The Wall Street Journal: The Pink Gang: Who are they? And why do they wear pink saris?

Amana Fontanella-Khan:The Pink Gang are an all-women vigilante organization based in Bundelkhand, a region in [the northern state of ] Uttar Pradesh known as the badlands of India. They fight for the rights of women, the lower castes and the poor. Their trademark is their pink sari uniform, which they wear to be easily recognizable and to foster a sense of unity among members. They chose pink because, unlike most other colors, it had not been appropriated by either a political or a religious group.

WSJ: Why do you think it’s important to tell their story?

Ms. Fontanella-Khan: Often, the rhetoric around abused women is defined by their perceived powerlessness. This narrative reinforces the idea that women are passive, helpless people upon whom men impose their will. We need stories that recognize the agency of women and their ability to shape their lives and impact society. The Pink Gang reminds us that, through unity, power is within the reach of all women, no matter what their background.

WSJ: Sampat’s background is unusual for a woman who lives in rural India. Can you tell us a bit about her?

Ms. Fontanella-Khan: A lot about Sampat is very typical for a woman her age who hails from Bundelkhand. She was married off at the age of 12 and had the first of five children at 15. Her in-laws tried to restrict her mobility, force the purdah[veil] onto her and turn her into a household servant.

What sets her apart, however, is that Sampat always fiercely resisted attempts by others to control her. Crucial to her story is that Sampat achieved financial independence early on in life by teaching herself how to sew. Her work granted her an increasing amount of freedom until, in her forties, she became her own master. Such is her autonomy today that she spends most of her waking life with a male colleague, with whom she lives [as a couple] when not in her family home–this is unusual by most standards, let alone a rural Indian one.

Amana Fontanella-Khan

Pink Gang day celebration on February 14, 2011 in Fatehpur.

WSJ: Women in India suffer all sorts of abuse all the time. What made Sampat take up their cause and fight back?

Ms. Fontanella-Khan: Sampat witnessed much abuse in her formative years. She often recalls how, in her 20s, she listened to her neighbor relentlessly beat his child-bride, night after night. The shrieks of pain haunted her and she felt compelled to get involved, which she did. Sampat did not have a transformational moment that drew her to activism, however. She insists that she has always harbored a fighting spirit and that the desire for equality dwelt within her for as long as she can remember.

WSJ: What kind of issues does the gang deal with? For instance, how would they tackle a rape case?

Ms. Fontanella-Khan: The gang is best known for its work on women’s issues, including domestic violence, rape, dowry-related murder and eloping couples at risk of honor killings.

The way that they tackle rape cases is similar to how they handle other cases. They put pressure on the police to register the complaint, which officers often refuse to do. They closely monitor police investigations into the crime and will often conduct their own investigations if they feel evidence is being ignored. Most importantly, perhaps, is the support they offer to rape survivors. Often, women are attacked by powerful, upper-caste landlords and speaking out against them can have serious repercussions. Having a powerful group like the Pink Gang looking out for you can make all the difference in such situations.

WSJ: How successful have they been at addressing caste-based prejudices and violence?

Ms. Fontanella-Khan: When it comes to caste, the gang considers marriage one of their biggest battlefields. They have officiated numerous inter-caste marriages, which sends a powerful message to society that such unions are to be celebrated, not shunned. Their support for such vulnerable couples may well have, in those cases, averted caste-based violence such as honor killings.

The empowerment of Dalits has long been a priority for Sampat. Years before starting the gang, Sampat was ostracized by residents of her in-laws village, Gadarian Purva, for drinking from a cup used by a Dalit. Her actions led her to be seen as ‘polluted’ in their eyes, which cemented her resolve to stand up to those who saw the lower-castes as inferior. In spite of Sampat’s efforts, casteism has sometimes reared its ugly head within the gang, as some members have found it hard to leave such outdated notions behind them. This shows just how pernicious and enduring casteism is.

WSJ: What role do law-enforcement authorities play in all this?

Ms. Fontanella-Khan: Most of the time, the Pink Gang acts not outside of the law, but as an enforcer of the law. They pressure the police to make sure cases are registered, investigations are conducted properly and witnesses are not intimidated. They do so because police corruption and malpractice often prevents effective law-enforcement.

WSJ: You spent a lot of time in remote Uttar Pradesh. What did you find most challenging about life there?

Ms. Fontanella-Khan: Bundelkhand is plagued with bare-boned infrastructure. Roads are in such bad conditions that journey-times are double or triple what they should be. This was one of the biggest challenges I faced when reporting for the book.

Margherita Stancati is based at The Wall Street Journal’s Kabul bureau.

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